Guard for hydraulic lines on a loader bucket



0 United States Patent [1113,542,223

[72] Inventors Rueben R. Brooks; [56] References Cited Robert E. Carter;Edward A. Walsh, UNITED STATES PATENTS ;';g;6 2,766,535 10/1956 Ralston214/778X gm L 1969 3,076,571 2 1963 Kuhl 214/776 3,447,7 6 9 t k 2 4 774s Patented Nov. 24,1970 08 ll 69 s 1 5 [73] Assignee CaterpillarTractor Co. Przmary Examiner-Hugo O. Schulz Peoria, IllinoisAttorney-Fryer, Tjensvold, Feix, Phillips & Lempio a corporation ofCalifornia [54] GUARD FOR HYDRAULIC LINES ON A LOADER BUCKET ABSTRACT: Aguard fitting between a loader bucket and the 4 Claims 2 Drawing Flgsforward ends of the lift arms which support the bucket to [52] U.S. Cl214/145 prevent debris which is projected upwardly behind the bucket[51] Int. Cl 3B66f 19/00 from engaging and damaging hydraulic linesemployed to con- [50] Field of Search 214/778, vey fluid under pressurefrom a source on the loader tractor to 779, 780,767, 147, 145, 140, 773,774, 775, 776, the hydraulic jacks carried by the bucket to adjust theparts 777; 294/88 thereof.

Patented Nov. 24,1970 3,542,223

5 34 l4 F t" \lV/ so 32 I INVENTORS RUEBEN R. BRUNKA ROBERT E. CARTEREDWARD A. WALSH BY 9-; 1T ORNEYS l GUARD FOR HYDRAULIC LINES ON A LOADERBUCKET Some tractor mounted loaders are of very heavy and rugged designto enable their effective use in demolition work. In buildingdemolition, the materials handled by a loader are of many shapes andsizes varying from bricks and cement blocks or chunks to boards, steelstructural members and reinforcing rods. Some demolition bucket loadersare provided with a cover or clamp for the bucket which is actuated byhydraulic jacks on the bucket and fluid under pressure from the tractor.Hydraulic lines extend from the tractor along the length of the liftarms and must bridge the gap between the lift arms and the bucket tosupply fluid to jacks on the bucket. These lines are subject to frequentbreakage particularlywhere they bridge the gap between the lift arms andthe bucket and especially because the bucket is used sometimes as abattering implement as for example in breaking down a wall of brick orother material. In the course of the many uses to which the bucket isput, it is not uncommon for material to pass behind the bucket in thevicinity of the hydraulic lines and sometimes long mem-' bers of wood orsteel extend upwardly through the gap to break lines and even todamagethe radiator or other forwardly mountedtractor components.

The present invention rovides a simple and effective guard which closesthe space between the forward ends of the lift arms and which is of verysimple construction and capable of being easily and inexpensivelyinstalled on existing loaders when it is contemplated that they are tobe used in demolition work. A more complete understanding of theinvention will be had upon reading thefollowing specification whereinthe invention is described in detail by reference to the accompanyingdrawing.

In the drawing: I FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation ofa demolition typebucket showing the forward portion of the lift arms by which it issupported and showing a part of the lift assembly, and the mechanism ofthe present invention'in section taken on the line l-l of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the forward ends of the lift arms shown in FIG.lshowing the manner of their connection to the bucket as well as theconnection of the guard of the present invention to the lift arms, partsbeing shown in section;

The loader bucket shown in the drawing comprises a main bucket portionpivotally supported at the end of a pair of I lift arms 12 as by pivotpins 14. This bucket has acover or clamp 16 pivotally supported as bypins, one of which is shown at 18 and capable of being swung aboutitspivotal support, between an open position and the closed positionillustrated in FIG. 1, by hydraulic jack means (not shown) except for aportion of a piston rod 20 connected by pivot means 22 to the bucket.The jack cylinder is positioned beneath a protective fluid underpressure to the clamp actuating jack are subject to frequent damage.

The present invention provides guard means to close the opening betweenthe brace 26 and the bucket. This guard means comprises a plate 30reinforced by a transverse brace 31 and longitudinal braces 32. Theguard is supported between the bucket and the member 26 at its forwardend by bosses '34 welded to the braces 32 and fitting over the innerends of the pivot pins 14. The normal pivot pins are replaced by longerpins for this purpose. At its rear edge the plate 30 ot the guard restsupon the top of the member 26 and the braces 32 as well as'smallerbraces shown at 36. are formed with lugs, one of which is best shown at38 in FIG. I to underlie the member 26 so that its forward end isembraced by members of the guard. Thus, the guard is capable of beingquickly installed without the necessity of welding or securing meansother than those produced by its own configuration.

We claim: 1. In a loader bucket which comprises a material handlingbucket pivoted by pivot means to the ends of a pair of lift arms whichare supported by a tractor for vertical swinging movement and acrossmember secured between said arms at a point spaced from the bucket,the improvement which comprises guard means removably mounted in saidloader bucket and entirely closing the space between the arms andbetween the bucket and the crossmember to prevent debris from passingupwardly directly behind the bucket.

2. The improvement of claim 1 in which the guard means is supported bysaid pivot means.

3. In a loader bucket assembly which comprises a material handlingbucket pivotally connected to the ends of a pair of lift arms by a pairof pins, which lift arms are supported by a tractor for verticalswinging movement and have a crossmember extending between them at apoint spaced from the bucket, the improvement which comprises aremovable guard means closing the space between the lift arms andbetween the bucket and the crossmember and having generally C-shapedmembers at the rearward edge thereof which engage the crossmember forsupport of said guard means at said rearward edge.

4. The improvement ofclaim 3 in which the guard means includes bushingsat the forward edge thereof engaging the pins for support of saidforward edge.

